France’s billion-tree programme loses funding after court ruling

In 2022, France pledged to plant one billion trees over 10 years, but four years later, the country's highest administrative court has cancelled the decree that funded the entire plan. On 15 July 2026, the Council of State ruled that the government's subsidy framework was unlawful because ministers introduced the rules without first allowing the public to give their views.According to the official judgment published by Légifrance, Decree No. 2025-401, adopted on 2 May 2025, violated France's Environmental Charter. The court said that state subsidies covering 40 per cent to 65 per cent of forest renewal costs have a major impact on commercial forestry, directly affecting biodiversity, soil health, and wildfire risks. Because the funding rules could significantly affect the environment, the public had a legal right to take part in consultations before the decree became law.Legal procedure and NGO concernsThe case was brought by the environmental group Canopée.